I’m having great fun with the 100 Days Project, now up to Day #35. What I’m noticing are the patterns that emerge from a dedicated and sustained effort.
For example, in daily writing, even when given a starting point or impetus such as John Timmons’ video clips, the initial reaction determines whether it’s going to be an easy write or a labored one. I’m delighted when it leads me to an immediate opening sentence because that usually indicates an edgier piece, one that sings with magical realism or sarcasm in the guise of story.
The tougher ones are more traditionally structured. More woven by the elements of narrative arc, character, dialogue and setting at the forefront and often calling for the fun meter to be bypassed in favor of story. That’s when I’m glad I chose to include images in the works. Photoshop is extraordinary good fun, like recess or play time in school.
Today’s piece (#35 A Night at the Opera) had me hot on the trail using metaphors and a bit of the magic of the absurd in the writing, but just as with Jesus who’s impossible to photograph, I had to break down and draw something to suit story. That wasn’t so fun, but since I’ve had visual art published before, I overwhelmed my embarrassment with reminders of deadlines and went at it with pencil and paper then turned it over to Photoshop for a small effect addition that covered a lot of the flaws.
While some may have found the daily commitment too grueling when the summer sun beckons them away to foreign beaches and dreams, most of the participants have stuck with it and you’ll find some tremendous writing–Steve Ersinghaus can always kick me out of the normal world into an odd place where imagination can really tell story–including a terrific bunch of poets–Steve’s wife, Susan Ersinghaus, is producing some amazing work–and artists such as the baby-heavy and nature-inspired Carianne Mack Garside, who started this tradition off in 2008, Janette Maxey with some beautifully executed paintings, Jessica Somers who has an incredible eye for composition, and just too many others to name. It’s well worth checking out: 100 Days 2010.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology